Wine Country, San Francisco

Many people head to the Napa Valley to sample some of the finest wines produced anywhere but it’s become overrun with tourists and the nearby Sonoma Valley offers some respite from the hordes, at least if you go during the week. You can stop in numerous vineyards and sample their wares. Then pick up some picnic supplies, a bottle or two, and find scenic spot to soak it all in. Please visit my Sonoma page for details.

Now almost all wineries in Napa Valley and more and more in Sonoma are charging a fee for tasting. Fees are pretty high as they can range anywhere from $6 to $25 per person (yes, even $25). Pretty soon it can get pretty expenssive. Pick up a visitor's guide called 'The Best of the Wine Country' from your hotel or car rental office. It will get you FREE tasting tasting to many wineries listed and discounts to many spas. It is published by a company called econcierges.com. We were handed one by our Concierge at the Westin hotel in San Francisco. We also enjoyed a nice discount at the Golden Haven Hot Springs.

The Napa Valley is a very popular destination with locals and out of towners alike. It's an easy few hours from San Francisco and with many tour companies offering day trips, many visitors usually only spend a day hoping from winery to winery and rarely see more. I'd definitely recommend renting a car, driving out to Napa and spending at least a night to get a better feel of Napa.

I love Napa and whenever I visit San Fancisco make it a point to visit to indulge my love of the sweet life, that includes a few hours at my favorite Spa, sampling some excellent wines at a fantastic winery and indulging my love of food at a wonderful restaurant.

Excellent opportunities for wine tasting abound in nearby Napa and Sonoma Counties where some of the best tasting is available. One way to explore the wine country is to head north over the Golden Gate Bridge and up U.S. 101 from San Francisco to the River Road exist. River Road is just beyond the City of Santa Rosa. Head west (left) on River Road and look for the winery signs that resemble road signs. Then explore the wineries as your adventure unfolds. This will lead you into the Russian River Valley where some excellent Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay are produced.

Other fantastic places for tasting in the area surround the cities of Healdsburg, Sonoma, and Napa. Some wineries offer free tastings, others charge a small fee. Usually tasting rooms are located right at the vineyards. Cities like Sonoma and Healdsburg also have tasting rooms that may feature one winery or offer tastings from selected regional wineries. Be careful not to overdo the tastings if you are unlucky enough to be driving.

2 more images

Located in Rutherford, this is known as the big kahuna in wine business for Napa. Francis for Coppula bought this in mid 1990's can now it is called Rubicon Winery, on 1,700 acres. The winery changed hands a couple of times in buyouts after the founders, Niebaums sold out in 1970's

With the exception of some of the finer Malbec's from Argentina, the greatest wine in the world comes from the Napa Region about 40-50 miles Northeast of Downtown San Francisco. Because of the traffic, it can take up to 2-2 1/2 hours to get here. However, if you leave on a weekday from Downtown San Francisco after 10am, it shouldn't take you more than an hour to get here.

This is a picture of a wine vineyard somewhere in the Sonoma Region. I was in the middle of the freeway with no cars behind me and took this picture from outside the sun roof of my car.

I was frustrated with this picture because I missed about 20 other prettier photo opportunities until I took a shot of this.

It's a fun drive, the scene highway 12 which you get to by crossing the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge (which is Highway 80 East), and after you cross the bridge, you follow the signs to 80 East (Sacramento). Drive about 30-40 miles to Fairfield and exit to Highway 12 (Sonoma/Napa).

Once you are on Highway 12, it is a peaceful drive which you will find yourself on beautiful pastoral, quiet scenery and lots of vineyards.

If it's a hot day and you want to get away from the loudness of San Francisco, this drive is the panacea to your desires.

About a good one hour or longer drive from Downtown San Francisco is Sonoma, a city in the heart the Northern California Wine Region.

There are many ways to get there from San Francisco. You can take Highway 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge and follow the signs to Napa or Sonoma.

I recommend the longer more scenic drive where you take Highway 80 East (Towards Sacramento). About 30-40 miles on this drive, you will enter the city of Fairfield, follow the sign that tells you to go onto Highway 12.

Take Highway 12 and eventually, you will get to this City Hall in Sonoma, a quaint, friendly, lively town more down to earth making you feel far away from the busy San Francisco Bay Area hustle and bustle.

I took this picture yesterday night (May 23, 2005). Prior to getting here, I passed by at least 15 wineries. The country roads on highway 12 are windy and breathtaking if you love pastoral valleys engulfed by hot early Californian summer sunlight and hills that go up and down with vineyards with small Mountains looming in the background.

Up and Away Balloon ride over Sonoma Valley is the best-the owners are great guides and the champagne brunch is first class. We only had two days but made the most of it. We stayed at the Ledson Hotel in Sonoma-fabulous accommodations! Visited the Ledson vineyard, Domaine Chandon and Viansa. All were great experiences and well staffed by knowledgeable, courteous people. Beautiful countryside. A great getaway!